PLANS to move council offices, greater police presence and a new healthcare centre are part of a council’s grand plans.

Maldon District Council leader Adrian Fluker gave a speech outlining the council’s ambitions for the coming years.

One of the top pledges was the relocation of the council offices.

Mr Fluker said: “The carbon footprint of the council offices is massive.

“The building is environmentally inefficient, operationally out of date and restrictive.

“The administration is seeking to relocate the council offices, including all our existing tenants, to a sustainable location by 2023. We must stop haemorrhaging carbon and cash on our premises.

“It is a pledge of this administration that this council will be operating carbon-free by 2027.”

On the subject of environment, he said air quality is being monitored in central Maldon and the council will aim to reduce emissions via traffic schemes and a potential low-emissions zone.

Mr Fluker also supports cutting speed limits to 20mph in some parts of the district.

He also announced an increase in the number of Maldon and Chelmsford police officers by 15 by the end of the year and pledged support for a new district-wide health hub.